Table-leaf support



(No Model.)

1 S. W. STILWELL.

TABLE LEAP SUPPORT.

Patented June 3, 1884.

- M/I allillll k w 1 j zvezzz or UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

STEPHEN W. STILWELL, OF DAYTON, OHIO.

TABLE-LEAF SUPPORT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 299,874, dated June 3, 1884-.

Application filed November 21, 1883.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, STEPHEN W. STIL- WELL, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Dayton, in the county of Montgomery and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Table- Leaf Supports, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a table-leaf support.

The object of my invention is to obtain a cheap, firm, and durable table-leaf support, which will automatically lock itself in position, and will be rigidly braced against detachment from all motion or strain, except the vertical raising of the lock-latch. This I accomplish in the manner and by the means hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improvement shown attached to a table in section. Fig. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the bracket and lock-latch. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the lock-latch; Fig. 4, an edge view of the same. Fig. 5 is a central vertical section of the supporting-bracket attached to the tableleaf. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the hinge-plate.

A represents the frame of the table; B, the table proper; G, a drop-leaf, hinged to the table B in the usual manner.

D represents a curved brace arm, which is hinged to the frame A by means of the hinge H, as shown in Fig. 1.

E represents aloop or slot bracket, in which arm D rests and slides.

e represents a lug on the extreme outer and bottom edge of the brace-arm D, which serves as a stop to arrest the movement of the leaf 0, and against which lug the bracket E is firmly braced by a gravitating latch, F. This latch is provided with a pivot, G, which seats in a depression formed on the under side of flange a of the bracket E, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2. This latch F being a gravitating latch, as the table-leaf O is raised until the bracket E is brought against the lug e, this latch automatically drops into a recess cut in the upper outer edge of arm D, and

(No model.)

bears against a shoulder, a, which is formed by the recess. The extreme forward point, d, of arm D bears against the base 1), between the lugs or shoulders f, formed by the depressions in the flange a for the pivot G, as seen in Fig. 1. These three fixed bearingpoints at c d 6 form a very rigid lock, and the gravitating latch F being hinged so as to drop into the recess and have its inner edge bear against the shoulder c, it is caused to act as a brace against the shoulder c, forcing the lug e and bearing-point D firmly against the metal bases, against which they strike, and effectually prevent all liability of accidental disengagement of the lock by jars, strains, or lateral motions applied to the table-leaf or to the arm D. The lock can only be released by the upward pressure against the thumb-piece which is formed on the inner end of the gravitating latch F, so as to allow it to be easily raised out of position, releasing the lock and allowing the. leaf to descend by the sliding of the arm D through the slot of bracket E. This latch being, as before stated, a gravitating latch, the parts being formed as described, it automatically locks the leaf up in position, as shown in Fig. 1, by simply raising the leaf.

The lug 6 might be omitted and the lock effected by the bearing-points cl 0, and still accomplish one of the objects of my invention.

I claim- The combination, with the table B, frame A, and leaf 0, of the slotted bracket E, provided with depressions forming lugs f, the latch F, having pivotal bearings in the depressions made in the bracket, and the arm D, hinged to the frame A, and formed at its outer end with a shoulder, a, on its upper face, for the latch F to bear against, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof Ihave hereunto set my hand.

STEPHEN \V. STILWVELL.

WVitnesses:

J NO. F. SINKs, CHARLES W. DALE. 

